The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-10-01
Political Topics.

Political Topics.
Mr.. John K. Cowen wrote six columns
to show that no change in the constitution
could result in further taxation of the Bal
timore and Ohio Railroad, and to charge
that the Democratic party favored a new
fundamental law in order to ''steal' the
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. Such a
charge falls in the light of facts. 1t re-
quires no change in the constitution to sell
that highway, and it will pass under the
auctioneer's hammer, regardless of that in
strument, unless the January, 1888, interest
is met. The canal company has defaulted
on the January and July interest on its
bonds, and after another default the trus-
tees are empowered to sell. The present
constitution prohibits the state from ad-
vancing aid to it, aud the only way now
apparent to save the canal is to change the
organic law, and for the state to go to its
rescue and maintain it in the interests of
the people and as a guard against railroad
monopoly. Mr.. Cowen will have to find
some other reason why he suspects that the
Democratic leaders want to change the con-
stitution for personal advantage. His as
signment of such reason was erroneous and
gratuitous, for the Democratic state con-
vention left the matter open to the judg-
ment of the people. 1t is safe to say that
very large majority of Democrats favor
change in the organic law, and many
Republicans, too. The Democrats did not
make it party matter while the Republi-
cans did, most probably to please Mr..
Cowen, and it is now in order for that
gentleman to state some sound reasons why
there should not be an alteration.
If change cannot affect the taxation of
his road, nor permit certain persons to $
'isteal" the canal, the two subjects he is {
most interested in, why is he, and his Re {
publican associates, opposed to new con- ,
constitution? =
Just as able lawyers as Mr.. Cowen is, c
believe that change in the constitution is +
necessary to have better registration. b
Because the present law requires registrars c
of voters to sit for longer period in Bal s
timore than in the counties, and hence to A
argue that annual registration is possible s
under the present constitution, is to take s
for granted the present law is constitu- 1
tional. We doubt very much whether it a
is. The constitution requires uniform f
system of registration There is no uni h
formity about law that allows the citizens
of one political division greater facilities a
for registration than another. 1t may be
economy to have fewer registrars in Balti-
more and allow them to sit longer, than to G
sub-divide the city with sufficient registra- .
zion districts, in order that all voters may :
have ample opportunity in less number b
of days to qualify themselves for the cleo IL
tive franchise, but it is not uniformity. al
In September the registrars sit five days re
in the counties, and in Baltimore fifteen IN
Very many changes in our organic law =
could be made with advantage to the peo- is
pie. They could be made by amendment, pa
but to undertake TO make reasonably vi
perfect one by that mode might result in 1t,
If changes are to 49,
made by amendment, the fewer thp5ultry for
Almpsts1dct1of pa,s-ffe farmer. As
a ol<heral thing the fowls that the farmer.
keeps in his barnyard, and on whiep
expends but little, pay best Of "':e De''er
stock; butyyhe entire bar OF the state desire
to t61llTange in the judiciary, in order to have
p an independent Court of Appeals. and very
many of the people would like a change in
order to get rid of some very Objectionable
Judges. Many people believe the orphans
court is unnecessary; that states attorneys
should have fixed salaries instead of fees;
that the power of county commissioners
should be enlarged, in order to facilitate
business and also to relieve the legislature
of much locai legislation; that there
should be some change in the system Oh
taxstiou. &C., &c. The present constltu-
ton contains very much that should have
been left for legislative action. The state,
however, has progressed and prospercd
under our present constitution, and we sup
nose conld run along for another score OF
years without change. But, if our laws
can be improved, and the burdens OF gov
eminent be lightened it is the part OF Wis
dom to change the constitution, in order
that such desirable results can be obtained